Efecto neuroprotector del sulfato de magnesio en prematuros. Análisis tras instaurar su protocolo de administración antenatal en un hospital terciario / Neuroprotective effect of magnesium sulfate in premature infants: Analysis after establishing an antenatal administration protocol in a tertiary care hospital

Introducción: En 2016 se desarrolló en nuestro centro un protocolo de administración antenatal de sulfato de magnesio en gestantes con riesgo de parto pretérmino inminente como método para disminuir el riesgo de parálisis cerebral (PC). Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional y retrospectivo en un hospital de nivel IIIC con objetivo principal de comparar la incidencia de PC previa y posteriormente a la puesta en marcha de este protocolo. Con respecto a los objetivos secundarios, a destacar la incidencia de déficit cognitivo, enterocolitis necrosante y mortalidad en ambos grupos. Los pacientes incluidos fueron recién nacidos prematuros por debajo de 32 semanas de edad gestacional nacidos en los años 2011-2012 (previo a la instauración del protocolo) y 2016-2018 (posteriormente a la instauración del protocolo, cuyas madres habían recibido sulfato de magnesio como neuroprotector). Las características clínicas y epidemiológicas de ambos grupos fueron comparables entre sí. Resultados: Se recogieron datos de un total de 523 pacientes, 263 y 260 de cada grupo. Con respecto al objetivo principal, no se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas. Se objetivó, en el grupo de pacientes nacidos entre 2016-2018 y con edad gestacional entre 26+0 y 27+6 semanas, cuyas madres recibieron sulfato de magnesio, una reducción estadísticamente significativa de la mortalidad y del riesgo de enterocolitis necrosante grave. Conclusiones: En nuestro trabajo, el sulfato de magnesio administrado a madres en riesgo de parto prematuro, no disminuyó el riesgo de desarrollar PC. (AU)

Introduction: In 2016, a protocol was developed in our hospital for the antenatal administration of magnesium sulfate in pregnant women at risk of imminent preterm birth as a method to reduce the risk of cerebral palsy (CP). Material and methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study in a level IIIC hospital with the primary objective of comparing the incidence of CP before and after the implementation of this protocol. Among the secondary outcomes, we ought to highlight the incidence of cognitive deficits and necrotizing enterocolitis and the mortality in both groups. The sample consisted of preterm newborns delivered before 32 weeks of gestation in 2011-2012 (prior to the implementation of the protocol) and in 2016-2018 (after the implementation of the protocol, whose mothers had received magnesium sulfate for neuroprotection). The clinical and epidemiological characteristics of both groups were comparable. Results: We collected data for a total of 523 patients, 263 and 260 in each group. As regards the primary outcome, we did not find statistically significant differences between groups. We observed a statistically significant reduction in mortality and the risk of severe necrotizing enterocolitis in the group of patients born in the 2016-2018 period and between 26+0 and 27+6 weeks of gestation, whose mothers had received magnesium sulfate. Conclusions: In our study, the administration of magnesium sulfate to mothers at risk of preterm birth did not decrease the risk of developing CP. (AU)

Neuroprotective effect of magnesium sulfate in premature infants. Analysis after establishing an antenatal administration protocol in a tertiary care hospital.

INTRODUCTION: In 2016, a protocol was developed in our hospital for the antenatal administration of magnesium sulfate in pregnant women at risk of imminent preterm birth as a method to reduce the risk of cerebral palsy (CP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational study in a level IIIC hospital with the primary objective of comparing the incidence of CP before and after the implementation of this protocol. Among the secondary outcomes, we ought to highlight the incidence of cognitive deficits and necrotizing enterocolitis and the mortality in both groups. The sample consisted of preterm newborns delivered before 32 weeks of gestation in 2011-2012 (prior to the implementation of the protocol) and in 2016-2018 (after the implementation of the protocol, whose mothers had received magnesium sulfate for neuroprotection). The clinical and epidemiological characteristics of both groups were comparable. RESULTS: We collected data for a total of 523 patients, 263 and 260 in each group. As regards the primary outcome, we did not find statistically significant differences between groups. We observed a statistically significant reduction in mortality and the risk of severe necrotizing enterocolitis in the group of patients born in the 2016-2018 period and between 26+0 and 27+6 weeks of gestation, whose mothers had received magnesium sulfate. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the administration of magnesium sulfate to mothers at risk of preterm birth did not decrease the risk of developing CP.

Coste efectividad de la estrategia de cribado de citomegalovirus en recién nacidos mayores de 34 semanas de bajo peso para la edad gestacional / Cost-effectiveness of a cytomegalovirus screening strategy in neonates born after 34 weeks small for gestational age

Introducción: El citomegalovirus (CMV) es una de las infecciones congénitas más frecuentes, con una prevalencia del 0,3-2,4%. En España, al no formar parte del cribado gestacional, se realiza screening de los recién nacidos con factores de riesgo y, en muchos centros, de los que presentan bajo peso para la edad gestacional (BPEG). Para ello se realiza, generalmente, determinación de Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) del virus en orina y/o ecografía transfontanelar en busca de imágenes compatibles. El objetivo del estudio es evaluar el rendimiento de la PCR de CMV en orina y ecografía transfontanelar, en recién nacidos >34 semanas asintomáticos, sin factores de riesgo, con BPEG. El objetivo secundario es evaluar el coste-efectividad. Material y métodos: Estudio observacional, descriptivo y retrospectivo, entre enero y diciembre de 2019, en un hospital de tercer nivel (IIIC). Incluye recién nacidos >34 semanas, sin factores de riesgo con BPEG, con PCR de CMV en orina y/o ecografía transfontanelar realizada. (AU)

Introduction: Infection by cytomegalovirus (CMV) is one of the most common congenital infections, with a global prevalence of 0.3%-2.4%. In Spain, CMV screening is not performed during pregnancy, but rather in neonates with risk factors, and, in many hospitals, in those born small for gestational age (SGA). Screening is usually performed by measurement of the viral load in urine by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and/or head ultrasound in search of compatible features. The aim of the study was to assess the yield of the CMV PCR test in urine and head ultrasound examination in asymptomatic neonates born SGA after 34 weeks’ gestation. The secondary objective was to assess the cost-effectiveness of this strategy. Design and methods: We conducted an observational and retrospective study between January and December 2019 in a tertiary care hospital. It included neonates delivered after 34 weeks, SGA and without additional risk factors assessed with a CMV PCR test in urine and/or head ultrasound. (AU)

Cost-effectiveness of a cytomegalovirus screening strategy in neonates born after 34 weeks small for gestational age.

INTRODUCTION: Infection by cytomegalovirus (CMV) is one of the most common congenital infections, with a global prevalence of 0.3%-2.4%. In Spain, CMV screening is not performed during pregnancy, but rather in neonates with risk factors, and, in many hospitals, in those born small for gestational age (SGA). Screening is usually performed by measurement of the viral load in urine by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and/or head ultrasound in search of compatible features. The aim of the study was to assess the yield of the CMV PCR test in urine and head ultrasound examination in asymptomatic neonates born SGA after 34 weeks' gestation. The secondary objective was to assess the cost-effectiveness of this strategy. DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted an observational and retrospective study between January and December 2019 in a tertiary care hospital. It included neonates delivered after 34 weeks, SGA and without additional risk factors assessed with a CMV PCR test in urine and/or head ultrasound. RESULTS: The sample included 259 patients. It was divided in 2 groups: group 1, patients with a head circumference, weight and length below the 10th percentile (53 patients; 20.5%), and group 2, patients in whom only the weight was below the 10th percentile (206 patients; 79.5%). The incidence of late preterm birth, twin pregnancy, neonatal admission and exposure to illicit drugs during gestation was higher in group 1. A total of 186 urine PCR tests and 223 head ultrasounds were performed overall, and both tests were performed more frequently in group 1 (P=.002). There was only 1 positive CMV PCR test result in the sample (0.54%), corresponding to a patient in group 2 with no abnormal sonographic findings who remained asymptomatic throughout the follow-up. Two head ultrasound examinations yielded abnormal findings, in both cases unrelated to congenital CMV infection. We performed a cost-effectiveness analysis and determined that the cumulative cost of head ultrasound examinations and urine CMV PCR tests in our sample amounted to Є17 000 for the detection of a single asymptomatic positive case. CONCLUSION: In our population, screening for congenital CMV infection in asymptomatic late preterm and term newborns whose only risk factor is SGA does not seem to be cost effective. It would be necessary to expand the sample to other populations.

Factores de riesgo asociados a mortalidad fetal intraparto en recién nacidos pretérmino / Risks factors associated with intra-partum foetal mortality in pre-term infants

INTRODUCCIÓN: El parto prematuro es una de las principales causas de mortalidad perinatal y fetal. Sin embargo, los factores de riesgo perinatales asociados a mortalidad fetal intraparto en partos pretérmino no han sido bien analizados. OBJETIVO: Analizar la mortalidad fetal y los factores de riesgo perinatales asociados a mortalidad fetal intraparto en gestaciones de menos de 32 semanas. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se incluyeron en el análisis todos los partos pretérmino entre las semanas 22 y 31 + 6 días, nacidos en un hospital terciario durante un periodo de 7 años (2008-2014). Se realizó análisis de regresión logística para identificar factores de riesgo perinatales asociados a mortalidad fetal intraparto (excluidos malformaciones y cromosomopatías severas). RESULTADOS: En este período el 63,1% (106/168) de la mortalidad fetal (≥ 22 semanas) se produjo en gestaciones menores de 32 semanas. Ochocientos ochenta y dos nacimientos entre las semanas 22 y 31+6 días fueron incluidos en el análisis. La mortalidad fetal fue del 11,3% (100/882). La mortalidad fetal intraparto fue del 2,6% (23/882), afectando en el 78,2% de los casos (18/23) a gestantes hospitalizadas. Encontramos que las técnicas de reproducción asistida, la ecografía fetal patológica, la no administración de corticoides antenatales, la menor edad gestacional y el bajo peso para la edad gestacional fueron factores de riesgo independientes asociados a mortalidad fetal intraparto. CONCLUSIÓN: La mortalidad fetal intraparto afectó a un porcentaje importante de nacimientos entre las semanas 22 y 31 + 6 días. El análisis de la mortalidad fetal intraparto y los factores de riesgo asociados a esta resulta de gran interés clínico y epidemiológico para optimizar el cuidado perinatal y aumentar la supervivencia del recién nacido pretérmino

INTRODUCTION: Pre-term delivery is one of the leading causes of foetal and perinatal mortality. However, perinatal risk factors associated with intra-partum foetal death in preterm deliveries have not been well studied. OBJECTIVE: To analyse foetal mortality and perinatal risk factors associated with intra-partum foetal mortality in pregnancies of less than 32 weeks gestational age. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included all preterm deliveries between 22 and 31 +1 weeks gestational age (WGA), born in a tertiary-referral hospital, over a period of 7 years (2008-2014). A logistic regression model was used to identify perinatal risk factors associated with intra-partum foetal mortality (foetal malformations and chromosomal abnormalities were excluded). RESULTS: During the study period, the overall foetal mortality was 63.1% (106/168) (≥ 22 weeks of gestation) occurred in pregnancies of less than 32 WGA. A total of 882 deliveries between 22 and 31 + 6 weeks of gestation were included for analysis. The rate of foetal mortality was 11.3% (100/882). The rate of intra-partum foetal death was 2.6% (23/882), with 78.2% (18/23) of these cases occurring in hospitalised pregnancies. It was found that Assisted Reproductive Techniques, abnormal foetal ultrasound, no administration of antenatal steroids, lower gestational age, and small for gestational age, were independent risk factors associated with intra-partum foetal mortality. CONCLUSION: This study showed that there is a significant percentage intra-partum foetal mortality in infants between 22 and 31+6 WGA. The analysis of intrapartum mortality and risk factors associated with this mortality is of clinical and epidemiological interest to optimise perinatal care and improve survival of preterm infants

[Risks factors associated with intra-partum foetal mortality in pre-term infants]. / Factores de riesgo asociados a mortalidad fetal intraparto en recién nacidos pretérmino.

INTRODUCTION: Pre-term delivery is one of the leading causes of foetal and perinatal mortality. However, perinatal risk factors associated with intra-partum foetal death in preterm deliveries have not been well studied. OBJECTIVE: To analyse foetal mortality and perinatal risk factors associated with intra-partum foetal mortality in pregnancies of less than 32 weeks gestational age. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included all preterm deliveries between 22 and 31 +1 weeks gestational age (WGA), born in a tertiary-referral hospital, over a period of 7 years (2008-2014). A logistic regression model was used to identify perinatal risk factors associated with intra-partum foetal mortality (foetal malformations and chromosomal abnormalities were excluded). RESULTS: During the study period, the overall foetal mortality was 63.1% (106/168) (≥22 weeks of gestation) occurred in pregnancies of less than 32 WGA. A total of 882 deliveries between 22 and 31+6 weeks of gestation were included for analysis. The rate of foetal mortality was 11.3% (100/882). The rate of intra-partum foetal death was 2.6% (23/882), with 78.2% (18/23) of these cases occurring in hospitalised pregnancies. It was found that Assisted Reproductive Techniques, abnormal foetal ultrasound, no administration of antenatal steroids, lower gestational age, and small for gestational age, were independent risk factors associated with intra-partum foetal mortality. CONCLUSION: This study showed that there is a significant percentage intra-partum foetal mortality in infants between 22 and 31+6 WGA. The analysis of intrapartum mortality and risk factors associated with this mortality is of clinical and epidemiological interest to optimise perinatal care and improve survival of preterm infants.

Estridor en neonatos con encefalopatía hipóxico-isquémica sometidos a tratamiento con hipotermia cerebral selectiva o corporal total / Stridor in neonates with hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy subject to selective cerebral or whole body hypothermia

INTRODUCCIÓN: El tratamiento con hipotermia ha mejorado el pronóstico de los neonatos con asfixia perinatal. Ampliamente utilizado, este tratamiento ha probado ser seguro sin efectos adversos graves. No descrito en los estudios multicéntricos iniciales, el estridor se ha reportado recientemente como un efecto secundario de este tratamiento. El objetivo de este artículo es revisar la incidencia de estridor respiratorio entre los neonatos con encefalopatía hipóxico-isquémica (EHI) sometidos a tratamiento con hipotermia en nuestra unidad. MÉTODOS: Estudio retrospectivo revisando las historias de todos los pacientes sometidos a hipotermia en nuestra unidad. RESULTADOS: Siete de 75 (9,3%) pacientes presentaron estridor; 3 recibieron hipotermia corporal total, 3 cerebral selectiva y un caso recibió ambas técnicas. Todos los casos requirieron aumento del soporte respiratorio. CONCLUSIÓN: Diferentes mecanismos pueden estar implicados con la aparición de estridor en los pacientes con EHI sometidos a hipotermia, en nuestra serie de casos no encontramos relación ni con el método de hipotermia activa empleado ni con la fase del tratamiento. Para intentar comprender mejor este posible efecto adverso de la hipotermia es necesario desarrollar estudios prospectivos que incluyan laringoscopia

INTRODUCTION: Hypothermia treatment has improved the prognosis of asphyxiated neonates. Widely used, it has demonstrated to be safe without severe side effects. The aim of this article is to review the incidence of stridor amongst asphyxiated newborns treated with hypothermia in our unit. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of our patients. RESULTS: Stridor was presented in 7/75 (9.3%) of patients during hypothermia. Three received whole body hypothermia, 3 selective cerebral, and in one case both techniques were used. All cases required increased respiratory support. CONCLUSIONS: Different mechanisms may be responsible for the appearance of stridor in patients with hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE). In our series the incidence of stridor was similar for the two hypothermia devices. To better understand these possible side effects of hypothermia, further prospective studies (which should include laryngoscopy) are needed

Survival estimations at the limit of viability.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the variability in neonatal survival to discharge from the neonatal unit by using different inclusion criteria. METHODS: An observational and descriptive study was performed between January 2008 and December 2013 which included infants born between 22 weeks and 31 weeks and 6 d of gestation. The rate of survival was calculated using three different inclusion criteria: the total number of preterm births, the number of all preterm live births, and the number of preterm newborns admitted to the neonatal unit. RESULTS: A total of 783 patients met the inclusion criteria. The survival rate for births between 22 and 31 weeks and 6 d of gestation was 72.8% of total births, 82.3% of live births, and 84.0% of all admissions to the neonatal unit. Therefore, we found a significant difference in survival rates according to whether or not foetal mortality (11.6%) and mortality in the delivery room (2.0%) were included. This variation increased with decreasing gestational age: 17,2%, 25%, and 38,4% at 23 weeks gestation. CONCLUSIONS: Late foetal mortality and the mortality in the delivery room affect the survival rates of preterm infants significantly, especially the most immature newborns.

[Stridor in neonates with hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy subject to selective cerebral or whole body hypothermia]. / Estridor en neonatos con encefalopatía hipóxico-isquémica sometidos a tratamiento con hipotermia cerebral selectiva o corporal total.

INTRODUCTION: Hypothermia treatment has improved the prognosis of asphyxiated neonates. Widely used, it has demonstrated to be safe without severe side effects. The aim of this article is to review the incidence of stridor amongst asphyxiated newborns treated with hypothermia in our unit. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of our patients. RESULTS: Stridor was presented in 7/75 (9.3%) of patients during hypothermia. Three received whole body hypothermia, 3 selective cerebral, and in one case both techniques were used. All cases required increased respiratory support. CONCLUSIONS: Different mechanisms may be responsible for the appearance of stridor in patients with hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE). In our series the incidence of stridor was similar for the two hypothermia devices. To better understand these possible side effects of hypothermia, further prospective studies (which should include laryngoscopy) are needed.